Timefest entry "Survival"

[pia12254]

Great job on this piece! The shot compositions were extraordinary! The neat thing about them though is they did not seem out of place...each one seemed to add something to the story or set up something that paid off later.

I was a little confused by him "catching" the van as some of the others have stated but I thought overall it was a great piece! I am kind of curious as to what the situation is with him "catching" the van and how you picture it/or how it was written? Did he just know a shortcut and catch up with them down the road? Did he throw the nails in the tire when she first got picked up and then chased them down the road?

Thanks for sharing your film...truly enjoyable!

[Susanne G.]

Good film. I like the off voice in general. This film is an intelligent psycologic study. There is a very good attention during the whole film. Above all I like all the close ups: the framing of the broken blue glass with this light is fantanstic and the cockoo clock. I love details and you have them in your film. Compliments!

Susanne

[Maximus]

I enjoyed your film. Very well done. The desert always seems to add big production value to a film if used properly. The transition to night was good. I didn't like your choice of music. At the end I expected you to reveal he now had two captives... I guess he let her go. One of my favs.

[Zoidoid]

This one took me by surprise! Survival had slipped under my radar, so I had no idea what to expect when I clicked play. Imagine my surprise when I discover just how good it is!

Definitely one of my favorites from this fest. I love the way you maximized the visual impact of such a minimalistic environment -- specifically the opening shots through the cracks in the walls and the glass on the floor. Beautifully done.

You had some legitimate tension brewing here. The pacing was perfect. Kept me completely glued to the screen! I admire how focused you kept this -- no need to explain all the who's why's and where's. All we need to know is how dire the situation is.

The music did not bother me, though I found it somewhat distracting during the chase scene. I thought it fit quite well with the opening of the film.

I was left wondering what happened to the girl, though! Since I was rooting for her the whole time, the ending kinda left me hanging. I definitely wanted to know whether or not she's safe!

Great job all in all. Congratulations!

[Blaine]

I thought this was good but I also had a problem with him catching the VW van. I got the idea from the way you edited it that a significant amount of time had passed. If that is the case, I can't see how the guy caught up on foot. It really jerks me out of the story you worked so hard to set up.

On another note, when the guy in the van looks over at her, I thought maybe the two guys were in it together and she was going to get her ticket punched by the driver...I was obviously wrong.

[krestofre]

I agree with Blaine. How did the bad guy catch the van which appeared to travel great distances?

That aside, the film is really good. You had some wonderful looking shots in it. A few of the shots looked a little soft in focus, but otherwise it was great.

[pauly_the_hitman]

Hey guys thanks for all the nice feedback. I can honestly say we appreciate it. As far as this dilemma everyone has about him catching up to the van. He knows the desert inside and out and easily had time to get in front of the truck while the driver helped the girl into the van, toss a handful of nails into the highway in front of him. Then wait till they pulled over and bamm. As far as the girl goes, leave the rest up to the possible sequel, or imagine how you might have ended it.
Thanks,
Pauly

[wesley]

thought this was really good the setting worked perfectly for the subject matter. also love how the chase scene was shot, how did you do the close-up shots of them running? seems difficult to do is such a rough terrain.

only quibble would be what others commented on about the music, it worked fro the opening but not the rest of the film. I think it would've come across much stronger with a different score.

[pauly_the_hitman]

I thought it was wonderful. I'm watching in order, so this is the 42nd film I've watched, and you are now tied with my top scorer so far. I rate on 8 different aspects of the film and it's safe to say I am tough, but fair. You are the second 9 I have given and there are only three others that are above a 5. (And BTW, this is only the 3rd, I think, that I cared to comment on.)

I cannot wait to see what you make in the future.

I thank you so much. Because film making is such a personal thing it is hard sometimes to let others watch it let alone critique it. But it is worth every effort if even a small amount of people get what you put out there. So I say it was worth it just for your commentary alone. And since we are new to this we obviously don't know how to publicize this very well but hopefully we will get better with time. Any tips on that aspect. Seems like no one even hardly knows we entered.

[clarkage]

Just like everyone else has said... Great job on everything! This was one of my most favorite in the fest. I cannot wait to see what you come up with next time around.

Seems like no one even hardly knows we entered.

I had no clue you even had a film that you were submitting. But man am i glad you did! Again, great job!